Rest assured, the answers to each question come straight from our pages. Usually, the answer to any given quiz question will be found in a recent article we’ve run. So, as long as you keep up with The Diplomat, you should be on your way to an easy 100 percent score on each of these quizzes.

You’ll get to see your score and the average score across all our readers at the end of the quiz.

Well? What are you waiting for? Have a go at our quiz and find out just how well you know the Asia-Pacific this week.

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Review

Question 1 of 10

1. Question

Which country normalized diplomatic ties with China in December 2016?

Belarus

Norway

Turkey

Chile

Correct

On Monday, December 19 the Chinese and Norwegian Foreign Ministries distributed a press release announcing that full normalization of their political and diplomatic relations was reached during the Norwegian minister of foreign affairs’ visit to Beijing. This normalization comes six years after relations were frozen following the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo in 2010.

Incorrect

On Monday, December 19 the Chinese and Norwegian Foreign Ministries distributed a press release announcing that full normalization of their political and diplomatic relations was reached during the Norwegian minister of foreign affairs’ visit to Beijing. This normalization comes six years after relations were frozen following the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo in 2010.

Question 2 of 10

2. Question

According to a survey by the Asia Foundation, what percentage of Afghans fear for their personal safety in 2016?

40

50

60

70

Correct

People’s fear for personal safety has been steadily increasing since the start of the survey, from 40 percent in 2006 up to 70 percent now. The government maintains low levels of confidence amongst the people, while religious leaders and the media have slightly higher levels of confidence. Unemployment continues to be a primary concern in the country, with 71 percent saying it was the biggest problem facing Afghan youth. In addition, 52 percent of respondents cite unemployment as the reason to leave the country if they were given the opportunity.

Incorrect

People’s fear for personal safety has been steadily increasing since the start of the survey, from 40 percent in 2006 up to 70 percent now. The government maintains low levels of confidence amongst the people, while religious leaders and the media have slightly higher levels of confidence. Unemployment continues to be a primary concern in the country, with 71 percent saying it was the biggest problem facing Afghan youth. In addition, 52 percent of respondents cite unemployment as the reason to leave the country if they were given the opportunity.

Question 3 of 10

3. Question

India experienced a failed missile test in December 2016. What kind of missile failed?

The December 21 launch, like previous tests, took place at the Integrated Test Range–the Indian military’s primary missile test facility–on Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha and was overseen by the Indian military’s Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO).

The December 21 launch, like previous tests, took place at the Integrated Test Range–the Indian military’s primary missile test facility–on Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha and was overseen by the Indian military’s Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO).

Question 4 of 10

4. Question

Who is Bill English?

An Australian defense analyst

A historian of British India

The new prime minister of New Zealand

The United Kingdom's ambassador to China

Correct

After the surprising resignation of John Key last week, this week New Zealand installed a new prime minister: Simon William “Bill” English. English was elected unopposed by the Parliamentary members of the National Party, enabling him to assume the leadership of both the party and the country. English had been the country’s finance minister from 2008, when the Key-led National Party was first elected.

English is a veteran politician who was first elected to Parliament in 1990. In his time in the Parliament he had once previously served as the leader of the National Party, while the party was in opposition, for a two-year period between 2001 and 2003. However, during this time he led the party to its worst ever electoral defeat in the 2002 elections, where the National Party won just 21 percent of the vote.

Incorrect

After the surprising resignation of John Key last week, this week New Zealand installed a new prime minister: Simon William “Bill” English. English was elected unopposed by the Parliamentary members of the National Party, enabling him to assume the leadership of both the party and the country. English had been the country’s finance minister from 2008, when the Key-led National Party was first elected.

English is a veteran politician who was first elected to Parliament in 1990. In his time in the Parliament he had once previously served as the leader of the National Party, while the party was in opposition, for a two-year period between 2001 and 2003. However, during this time he led the party to its worst ever electoral defeat in the 2002 elections, where the National Party won just 21 percent of the vote.

Question 5 of 10

5. Question

Which Asian country opposed a U.S.-backed UN Security Council resolution calling for an arms embargo against South Sudan?

In another sign of the difficulty Japan faces in becoming a “normal” military power, a diplomat said that the government of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is concerned that the arms embargo would endanger the lives of Japanese peacekeepers currently deployed in South Sudan.

On December 20, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada publicly said now was not the right time for an arms embargo and additional targeted sanctions, Reutersreports.

In another sign of the difficulty Japan faces in becoming a “normal” military power, a diplomat said that the government of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is concerned that the arms embargo would endanger the lives of Japanese peacekeepers currently deployed in South Sudan.

On December 20, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada publicly said now was not the right time for an arms embargo and additional targeted sanctions, Reutersreports.

Question 6 of 10

6. Question

Which Asian country celebrated 25 years of independence on December 16, 2016?

Mongolia

East Timor

Mauritius

Kazakhstan

Correct

In 2016, Kazakhstan and most of the states of the former Soviet Union celebrated their 25th independence anniversaries. This year marked not only a quarter-century of Kazakhstan’s independence but also the 23rd anniversary of the national currency, the tenge, and the fifth anniversary of the deadly clashes between police and oil workers in the western city of Zhanaozen, which shocked the international community and scared both people and authorities in Kazakhstan.

Incorrect

In 2016, Kazakhstan and most of the states of the former Soviet Union celebrated their 25th independence anniversaries. This year marked not only a quarter-century of Kazakhstan’s independence but also the 23rd anniversary of the national currency, the tenge, and the fifth anniversary of the deadly clashes between police and oil workers in the western city of Zhanaozen, which shocked the international community and scared both people and authorities in Kazakhstan.

Question 7 of 10

7. Question

During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s December 2016 visit to Japan, he and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe signed more than 70 agreements on ________.

Economic cooperation

Defense

Island swaps

Energy

Correct

In the aftermath, both leaders claimed credit and “success,” but it was only the Russian leader that emerged as a winner. The 70-plus economic agreements completed largely during the second – more business-oriented – day of the visit do not represent some significant Japanese financial investment in the Russian economy. Not a small number by absolute standards, $2.5 billion worth of joint projects must nonetheless be rather disappointing for the Russians on the whole. Nevertheless, Putin brought back home agreements for some “economic activities” on the disputed islands, and relaxed visa requirements for Russian business people, which can be extended at a later stage to general Russian visitors to Japan.

Incorrect

In the aftermath, both leaders claimed credit and “success,” but it was only the Russian leader that emerged as a winner. The 70-plus economic agreements completed largely during the second – more business-oriented – day of the visit do not represent some significant Japanese financial investment in the Russian economy. Not a small number by absolute standards, $2.5 billion worth of joint projects must nonetheless be rather disappointing for the Russians on the whole. Nevertheless, Putin brought back home agreements for some “economic activities” on the disputed islands, and relaxed visa requirements for Russian business people, which can be extended at a later stage to general Russian visitors to Japan.

Question 8 of 10

8. Question

Which country chairs ASEAN in 2017?

Myanmar

Laos

Indonesia

Philippines

Correct

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s trip to Singapore in December marks his eighth visit to a fellow Southeast Asian country since coming to office in June this year. So far, Duterte has toured Laos, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. This series of visits has preceded the Philippines commencing its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2017. ASEAN will mark a significant milestone as it celebrates the 50th anniversary since its establishment in 1967.

Incorrect

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s trip to Singapore in December marks his eighth visit to a fellow Southeast Asian country since coming to office in June this year. So far, Duterte has toured Laos, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. This series of visits has preceded the Philippines commencing its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2017. ASEAN will mark a significant milestone as it celebrates the 50th anniversary since its establishment in 1967.

Question 9 of 10

9. Question

Who is Qamar Javed Bajwa?

An Afghan warlord

Pakistan's new chief of army staff

A popular Indian politician

The leader of Tajikistan's main intelligence agency

Correct

As General Raheel Sharif retired from the post of Pakistan’s army chief, Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa was appointed as the 16th chief of army staff (COAS) in Pakistan. While his professionalism as an army person and the resumption of India-Pakistan border tensions made headlines as reasons for his appointment, those headlines failed to shed a light on the major driving factor: the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

There is a widespread view that Bajwa was appointed for his reputation of being a professional army person and that his appointment was made in order to check decades of India-Pakistan regular border issues in Kashmir. It is widely thought that, considering Pakistan’s history of military coups, Prime Minister Nawaz Shariff believed that an army professional like Bajwa would be the right person as the army chief, since he would be less interested in hopping into state politics. Although this analysis was not wrong, this is not the major reason behind Bajwa’s appointment.

Other argue that in a bid to put the highest-ever focus on Kashmir, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made sure that a man with huge expertise on Kashmir was appointed as the COAS. Many believe that the recent tension along the Line of Control in Kashmir (militant attacks in India allegedly originating from Pakistan and India’s retaliation through the alleged surgical strikes on Pakistan’s side of the LoC) is the sole reason behind Pakistan’s efforts to further increase its military focus on its side of Kashmir, leading to Bajwa’s appointment. This is outright wrong, as tensions with India regarding Kashmir is nothing new and there is already heavy military presence to tackle the issue.

Incorrect

As General Raheel Sharif retired from the post of Pakistan’s army chief, Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa was appointed as the 16th chief of army staff (COAS) in Pakistan. While his professionalism as an army person and the resumption of India-Pakistan border tensions made headlines as reasons for his appointment, those headlines failed to shed a light on the major driving factor: the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

There is a widespread view that Bajwa was appointed for his reputation of being a professional army person and that his appointment was made in order to check decades of India-Pakistan regular border issues in Kashmir. It is widely thought that, considering Pakistan’s history of military coups, Prime Minister Nawaz Shariff believed that an army professional like Bajwa would be the right person as the army chief, since he would be less interested in hopping into state politics. Although this analysis was not wrong, this is not the major reason behind Bajwa’s appointment.

Other argue that in a bid to put the highest-ever focus on Kashmir, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made sure that a man with huge expertise on Kashmir was appointed as the COAS. Many believe that the recent tension along the Line of Control in Kashmir (militant attacks in India allegedly originating from Pakistan and India’s retaliation through the alleged surgical strikes on Pakistan’s side of the LoC) is the sole reason behind Pakistan’s efforts to further increase its military focus on its side of Kashmir, leading to Bajwa’s appointment. This is outright wrong, as tensions with India regarding Kashmir is nothing new and there is already heavy military presence to tackle the issue.

Question 10 of 10

10. Question

Which of the following countries is not a part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a proposed Asia-Pacific trade deal?